Sunday, November 10, 2013

Dec. 25 (x 2)....PS SPARKS: Trend Watch (stripes), MUSE #42, Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Keep it Simple

Hello!
Hope you're enjoying the weekend immensely, as I am. Friday was, and Monday is, a day off work, so the 'double' long weekend is a wonderful mid-fall break. Later this morning, my husband and I are heading into the cool, crisp are for a trudge hike up Sulfur Mountain.  If you happen to glance at the link, trust me, the description of the trek makes it sound more daunting than it actually is, although I will agree that 'strenuous uphill slog' is quite accurate. The views at the top, though, make each and every step more than worthwhile (plus, perfect excuse for some serious cookie snacking afterwards). Sometimes a 'bundled and booted' excursion is precisely what's needed to clear out the cobwebs...

Christmas cards: that's my goal. The majority I'm creating are heading to my mom, who will keep some to send out to family and friends, while others are destined for the nursing home where she volunteers, for their fund-raising Christmas Bazaar.  My 'timelines' are a bit tight for the Dec. 7 craft fair, especially since I'll need to ship them to her well ahead of time. I'm hoping we might squeeze in an  extra trip north before Christmas, but my husband's schedule is crazy-busy, especially with biathlon competitions beginning on Nov. 23 (if we don't have 'real' snow at that time, they ski on artificial...quite the production!).  Actually, the early December 'get 'em done' target, while a bit stressful (self-induced), is wonderful opportunity to play with all kinds of  challenges and products. And betwixt and between the cards, are the two Advent Calendars to be made. I've started my niece's. I'll share soon....

Anyway...
Two cards for Paper Smooches SPARKS: Trend Watch Challenge, featuring stripes.  
I went simple, mainly because my PS Christmas collection has one item: sentiments.  However, pair those with other PS goodies, and voila...Christmas cards *can* happen...

First one is for the PS challenge only, 

My second one joins with the first for PS, as well as MUSE #42, with Laurie Willison's stunning cas card as inspiration, and Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Keep it Simple.  Cas and I - struggling relationship, but I really tried...

Here they are together...


Thanks for visiting and leaving comments; you've made my day!


18 comments:

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

Great cards! Nice designs! Carri~Abusybee

Anonymous said...

Think you can safely say you've conquered that CAS struggle, Carol ... your Muse card is deliciously so ... with fab colours, a super single sequin and oodles of white space! Love the layers and speech bubbles on your PS one too! Anita :)

Ardyth said...

Love your Christmassy take on this week's Muse! Thanks so much for playing along!

Greta said...

You have really developed a style, my friend--& I just love it! These are 2 fabulous examples--perfectly put together! PS--if only you were judging the challenges I enter--I'd be winning!--LOL Your comments do encourage me so much, Carol & I thank you!

~amy~ said...

LOVE both of your cards! awesome diecutting!

Darnell said...

Excellent stripey cards, Carol!! I'm loving your designs!! Hugs, Darnell

Larissa Heskett said...

OMG!! AWESOME Card!! I LOVE the FUN Design and your take on the Challenge!! THANKS for playing along in the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge and have a Fabulous Week!! =)

Geri said...

You really do amaze and inspire me! Just look at what you are creating with limited product! This is creativity defined! Seriously - a simple speech bubble...a wave of Carol's magic wand and poof...a winner of a card is born! One more wave of the creative wand and another card materializes out of another speech bubble! Your talent, ingenuity, and imagination is second to none dear friend!

I absolutely love the Dec 25 believe card with the one wee pop of bling!

Geri said...

Ooops, forgot to call WINNER, WINNER on these cards!

Shannon J said...

I think you and CAS go together like peanut better and jelly!!! These are awesome, Carol! I'm eeeking all over them, and Dave just snuck a peek himself (wondering what the eeking was about!) and he loves them too! Those speech bubbles are fab - you know I have a thing for speech bubble! Sweet, fun and festive! And I love that you are donating many of your cards to the seniors home - another example of your heart warming thoughtfulness!!!

Jennifer Jackson said...

These cards are great - I love the Clean and Simple Style. I find it hard to make cards this simple but I love it when others do. I just tend to add to much stuff on mine! LOL! Great job!

Neets B said...

I love how modern and funky these are, great cards :)

Heather said...

Both fabulous cards, great designs, lovely elements and I just love that stripey papers!!!

Thanks so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
hugs
Heather xx

Kylie said...

One word - darling! Both cards are simply darling. Love them!

Emily Leiphart said...

Beautiful cards, Carol! I love how you've used the Paper Smooches stamps and dies. Thanks so much for joining us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!

Kim S said...

Your CAS relationship appears to be quite solid! These are really cute. I had the same problem with only sentiments from PS. Unlike you - who managed to find a wonderfully creative way with word bubbles and fun paper to create a cute card - I ended up getting their Merry Motifs and dies. The hike looked fantastic - what a view!

OH Babs said...

Your cards are both fun and charming.

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

OH MY GOOOOOOODNESS, Carol! 2 cards for our challenge!!! LOVE them! I LOVE the first one-- so stunning! I love the stripes with the solid dies and sentiments! You nailed this challenge:) Thanks so much for joining in the fun with the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge!

ps... super sorry I'm so behind in leaving a comment!!!